Judy King, a 66-year-old American woman from Florida, has finally succeeded in securing the return of her mother Helga Wolfenstein's most treasured possessions - a collection of artworks and letters created by Jewish artist and poet Peter Kien while he was imprisoned in the Theresienstadt ghetto in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II.
The suitcase, containing 681 drawings, love letters, poems, and manuscripts, had been held captive for decades by the communist government in Prague. Despite her mother's tireless efforts over three decades to retrieve them, King was met with resistance from the Terezín Memorial Museum, which claimed that it couldn't part with the artworks due to national reluctance.
However, after years of lobbying, King's persistence paid off when a handwritten document signed by Wolfenstein herself was discovered in London. The document proved that Wolfenstein had indeed bequeathed her mother as her sole heir and owner of the suitcase's contents. Customs officials eventually relented and allowed the artworks to leave Prague for the Wiener Holocaust Library in central London, where King anxiously waited.
King's journey began after her mother passed away in 2003, leaving behind a promise to reunite with her beloved collection. The American woman made it a mission to honor her mother's memory by recovering the suitcase and its contents. She traveled extensively, including to Prague, where she encountered numerous bureaucratic hurdles.
In a remarkable turn of events, King managed to secure the release of the artworks from the Terezín Memorial Museum through a combination of behind-the-scenes negotiations with customs officials in London and Prague. The collection now joins nearly 100 other Kien works held in the library's archive, which were smuggled out by her cousin Peter during the communist era.
Wolfenstein had been Kien's lover in the ghetto before he was transported to Auschwitz, where he was murdered along with his parents and estranged wife. Her mother Hermine worked as a matron in the infectious diseases ward of the ghetto, where they hid the suitcase from the occupying forces.
King is thrilled that her mother would be delighted to know that her treasured collection has finally been returned to its rightful home. The Wiener Holocaust Library's senior archivist praised King for her determination and dedication to recovering her mother's legacy.
The suitcase, containing 681 drawings, love letters, poems, and manuscripts, had been held captive for decades by the communist government in Prague. Despite her mother's tireless efforts over three decades to retrieve them, King was met with resistance from the Terezín Memorial Museum, which claimed that it couldn't part with the artworks due to national reluctance.
However, after years of lobbying, King's persistence paid off when a handwritten document signed by Wolfenstein herself was discovered in London. The document proved that Wolfenstein had indeed bequeathed her mother as her sole heir and owner of the suitcase's contents. Customs officials eventually relented and allowed the artworks to leave Prague for the Wiener Holocaust Library in central London, where King anxiously waited.
King's journey began after her mother passed away in 2003, leaving behind a promise to reunite with her beloved collection. The American woman made it a mission to honor her mother's memory by recovering the suitcase and its contents. She traveled extensively, including to Prague, where she encountered numerous bureaucratic hurdles.
In a remarkable turn of events, King managed to secure the release of the artworks from the Terezín Memorial Museum through a combination of behind-the-scenes negotiations with customs officials in London and Prague. The collection now joins nearly 100 other Kien works held in the library's archive, which were smuggled out by her cousin Peter during the communist era.
Wolfenstein had been Kien's lover in the ghetto before he was transported to Auschwitz, where he was murdered along with his parents and estranged wife. Her mother Hermine worked as a matron in the infectious diseases ward of the ghetto, where they hid the suitcase from the occupying forces.
King is thrilled that her mother would be delighted to know that her treasured collection has finally been returned to its rightful home. The Wiener Holocaust Library's senior archivist praised King for her determination and dedication to recovering her mother's legacy.
. you gotta love a person who dont give up no matter what, thats what makes me hopeful about humanity. at the same time though, its crazy that ppl in charge kept holdin onto this stuff for so long. like, what's the point of keepin art from its rightful owner? i guess thats just part of history and we can only try to learn from it 
.
it's like her mom Helga was stuck in the past too, you know? all that resistance from the communist government and Terezín Memorial Museum... it's crazy how bureaucracy can hold up art for so long 
anyway, I'm just glad she got to see her mom's stuff again, I bet it's like a piece of history or something. now those artworks are in safe hands at the Wiener Holocaust Library 
... poor Judy King's journey is like something out of a movie! Can you even imagine having to deal with all those bureaucratic red tape for decades?! And the fact that she was told no way by the Terezín Memorial Museum must've been super frustrating 
. But, girl, you persisted and proved everyone wrong! I love how you're honoring your mom's memory by getting her art back - it's truly beautiful 
. And, side note, Peter Kien's story is like a tragic romance novel 
... I'm so glad Judy got to learn more about him through the collection 
...
I cant even imagine how emotional it must be for Judy King to have the suitcase with her mom's art back after all these years 
. I'm glad she finally succeeded because those artworks are a piece of history and should be treasured by the King family forever 
It's also really cool that her mom Hermine hid the suitcase during the war, it's amazing what people can do to protect their loved ones' belongings in crazy times 
I'm just glad that Judy never gave up, and her mom's legacy is finally getting the recognition it deserves 
Either way, I'm glad Judy King is finally reunited with her mom's stuff and that the Wiener Holocaust Library has such an amazing collection now.
. Talk about a game-changer! And I love how King's cousin Peter played a role in getting some other Kien works to the Wiener Holocaust Library - talk about family loyalty 
. It's also about preserving history and making sure these artworks are seen by people who can appreciate them. The Wiener Holocaust Library is doing some amazing work here, and I'm so grateful to see these treasured possessions being given a second chance at life 
.
She was literally fighting 4 her mom's legacy 4 decades & it's amazing 2 see her passion & perseverance pay off! 
And can u imagine how emotional it must've been 4 Judy when they finally released the suitcase? 
I'm glad they're back where they belong - the Wiener Holocaust Library, where people can appreciate & learn from them. Good job to Judy King, ur mom's memory will live on thru u! 
. I guess this is a great reminder to never give up on what matters most 
The fact that a handwritten doc from Wolfenstein herself proved ownership is just wow. That must've been a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. And to think she had to deal with all those bureaucratic hurdles in Prague... talk about a challenge 
she's been on this mission for like forever and it's so inspiring 
but Judy didn't give up